TERENCEEDWARD FINLAY

TERENCE EDWARD FINLAY Respected Anglican leader, social activist and beloved friend and father, The Most Reverend Archbishop Terence Edward Finlay died on Monday, March 20, 2017 in Toronto, his lifelong partner and best friend, Alice Jean (nee Cracknell), at his side. Born May 19, 1937, Terry was the elder son of the Reverend Terence John Finlay and Sarah Isabelle McBryan and brother to Charles McBryan Finlay (Carol). He has two daughters, Sara-Jane (Guy Faulkner) and Rebecca (Gordon Koch) and five grandchildren, Owen, Norah, Devon (deceased), Oliver and Ryann. Terry was born in London, Ontario and attended Huron College at Western University in London (BA 1959, BTh 1962) and Jesus College at Cambridge University (BA 1964, MA 1967). He was ordained a priest in 1962 and served many parishes in the Dioceses of Huron and Toronto. In 1986, he was elected bishop for Trent-Durham in the Toronto Diocese and in 1989 became the 10th Diocesan Bishop of Toronto. He became Archbishop of Toronto when he was elected Metropolitan of Ontario in 2000. In his role as Archbishop, Terry worked to prepare the church for the new millennium. He called on parishes to build communities of hope, compassion and restorative justice. With grace and courage, he modelled collaborative leadership. He believed that traditional, centralized institutions needed to change to remain relevant and sought to empower local churches. Terry was committed to listening, dialogue and reconciliation. He led the Diocese of Toronto’s support of the Residential Schools Settlement Agreement and worked with Indigenous leaders to seek healing for the church’s role in our colonial history. Deeply committed to justice for the LGBTQ community, he created effective and respectful dialogues to recognise the rights of everyone to full participation in the church. He searched for ways that the church could offer alternatives for people of all walks of life who were exploring faith. Following his retirement in 2004, Terry became the Primate’s Special Envoy to the Residential Schools Settlement and Healing and Reconciliation process. He also served in support of the Compass Rose Society, Huron University College, the International Mission to Seafarers and as Chaplain to the Canadian House of Bishops. He was an interim priest in charge at several parishes, a Senior Fellow of Massey College and a Senior Associate Fellow at Trinity College. He loved films and talking with his grandchildren. They will miss him. Known for his sense of humour and laughter, Terry enjoyed spending time with friends and family. A visitation will be held at The Cathedral Church of St. James, 65 Church Street, Toronto, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, March 24th, followed by a prayer vigil throughout the night. The funeral service will be held at the Cathedral at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 25th (www.stjamescathedral.ca). In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Anglican Healing Fund of the Anglican Church of Canada; Our Faith-Our Hope: Reimagine Church campaign at the Diocese of Toronto; or The Cathedral Church of St. James.